Cool MateConsider vs What if
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Consider
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
What if
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Consider | What if | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kənˈsɪdə//🇺🇸 //kənˈsɪdər// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪf//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪf// |
| Meaning | To think about something carefully. | a way to ask about possibilities or alternatives |
| Example | I will consider your suggestion. | What if we try a different approach? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | consider carefully, consider an option, consider a possibility | what if scenario, ask what if, think what if |
| Antonyms | ignore, dismiss, overlook | definitely, certainly, indeed, for sure |
| Common mistakes | Confuse with 'considering' which is a different form., Omit the object, e.g., saying 'Consider' without specifying what., Mix with 'contemplate', which has a deeper meaning. | Use 'what ifs' incorrectly as a noun., Confuse 'what if' with 'if only'., 'What if' followed by a question mark is unnecessary. |
| Usage notes | Use 'consider' when you are thinking about options or possibilities. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but may sound too formal in casual conversations. | Use 'what if' to propose questions about potential scenarios. It's common in discussions and brainstorming, but avoid in formal writing. |
Frequently asked questions: Consider vs What if
What's the difference between Consider and What if?
Consider: To think about something carefully. What if: a way to ask about possibilities or alternatives
Can you show an example of each?
Consider: I will consider your suggestion. What if: What if we try a different approach?
Can I use Consider and What if interchangeably?
Not always. Consider and What if are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.